Unlucky seven as firsts slump

OLDHAM Ladies Hockey Club firsts had a day to forget as they slumped to a 7-1 loss away to Crewe Vagrants in a North Hockey Women’s League Division Two South-West clash.

Skipper Fran Lees was among a list of first-choice players absent for the visitors, which included all but one of the regular back line.

Oldham started poorly — they were on the back foot for the opening skirmishes — so it came as a shock when they took the lead against the run of play. Breaking forward in numbers, a cross was cleared to Emma Burns, who fed Louise Howard in the ‘D’, the latter making no mistake after her initial effort was blocked.

But this didn’t alter the flow of the game, with Crewe in the ascendancy and Oldham struggling to gain possession in midfield. It was no surprise when the hosts, up against a makeshift defence, scored three goals to grab control.

Oldham’s captain, Rachael Johnson, tried to rally her troops at half-time but Crewe were determined to maintain the upper hand with a physical approach.

Oldham had a decent 10-minute spell — Yvonne Jackson was denied by the ’keeper and Howard had a shot blocked on the line — but it was Crewe who took their tally to seven goals with a strong finish.